DDP Question - we're here right now - help!

[bicker]

It isn't a smart idea to blindly standardize prices across a 43 square mile area, because the value of snacks varies from place to place, because the level of convenience provided varies from place to place.

 

[Lewisc]

It really isn't a challenge. The brochure lists items that are always snacks and indicates each participating location will display a logo that indicates which additional items are included. Many of the Disney resort food courts use the $4 figure but some of the WS bakeries don't want to include some of the more expensive pastries. Some of the kids CS meals are under $4 and they're not snacks.

The OP should have just asked about milk for the cereal. My guess is either a different sized milk carton would have been included or they would have been able to pour milk over the cereal either at a bulk milk dispenser or from a milk container.

 

[TikiGoddess]

I think it would be a very smart idea to give a consistent rule. We went last year with the DDP and NONE of the snacks were marked with the logo. It was like a guessing game carrying things to the cash register to see if it would be approved or not. I've read that has gotten better but everything is still not labeled properly and it is inconsistent. If you offer a service to the public (which is billed as a convenient hassle free option), you should make it simple to use...that's good business. For me, it is completely not user friendly to expect your customer to carry the list of approved snacks from place to place with them to see if they can get a bowl of cereal and milk or not. I'm on vacation..I don't want to have to constantly refer to a list to see what I can and cannot eat. Those establishments like the bakeries could easily raise the prices minimally of the items they don't want included as snacks. It seems like such a small sticking point when appetizers, entrees and desserts of all different prices are fine, but they nickel and dime you on the snacks. How is that any different from the snacks? Answer...it's not.

 

[Lewisc]

Show me a post where a guest was refused one of the listed snacks?

The logo started this year when the number of snacks was expanded. Last year Disney started allowing extra snacks, maybe as a test. This year Disney formalized the expansion of the snacks with the logo. How is looking for a logo any harder than looking for the price?

Do we really want restaurants raising the price just so DDP guests don't have to look for a logo?

I think it would be a very smart idea to give a consistent rule. We went last year with the DDP and NONE of the snacks were marked with the logo. It was like a guessing game carrying things to the cash register to see if it would be approved or not. I've read that has gotten better but everything is still not labeled properly and it is inconsistent. If you offer a service to the public (which is billed as a convenient hassle free option), you should make it simple to use...that's good business. For me, it is completely not user friendly to expect your customer to carry the list of approved snacks from place to place with them to see if they can get a bowl of cereal and milk or not. I'm on vacation..I don't want to have to constantly refer to a list to see what I can and cannot eat. Those establishments like the bakeries could easily raise the prices minimally of the items they don't want included as snacks. It seems like such a small sticking point when appetizers, entrees and desserts of all different prices are fine, but they nickel and dime you on the snacks. How is that any different from the snacks? Answer...it's not.

 

[bicker]

Do we really want restaurants raising the price just so DDP guests don't have to look for a logo?

Definitely not!!! I want them to stick with the current approach -- rely on the posted logo.

 

[Lewisc]

Raise the price to $4.01 and guests will either want to give the CM a few pennies to pay the difference or complain that Disney is cheap and can afford to absorb the few extra cents. The logo works fine.

It's not the retail cost of the item. It's the cost to Disney (wholesale cost) and cost to prepare/store the item. It's a lot easier to add something like chips, that can be sold right out of a box, than it is to add a bakery item that needs to kept refrigerated.

Disney needs to offer snacks that can economically be offered in large quantities.

 

[bicker]

It's not the retail cost of the item. It's the cost to Disney (wholesale cost) and cost to prepare/store the item.

I think that's part of it, but I think it is also often a matter of what will "sell" (for cash) despite not being included as an allowed snack.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The OP should have just asked about milk for the cereal. My guess is either a different sized milk carton would have been included or they would have been able to pour milk over the cereal either at a bulk milk dispenser or from a milk container.

Yeah, that's what seems reasonable. I don't know the container for the cereal (box, cup, already poured into a bowl and wrapped in plastic) but it would seem to me that's one snack credit. If you pour milk over it from a container or dispenser inside the food service area, it's still one credit. If you bring the container and a sealed container of milk to the register, that's two snacks - ergo two snack credits.

I think it would be a very smart idea to give a consistent rule. We went last year with the DDP and NONE of the snacks were marked with the logo.

Last year, the snacks were a soda, a bottle of water, a grab-bag of chips/snack, a single scoop of popcorn, a Mickey bar, an Itzakadoodle, or a frozen banana. Standard. IF some locations (e.g. resort food courts) chose to allow additional items, that was up to them but it was NOT standard.
Due to much confusion over what was included, Disney eventually developed the logo.

For me, it is completely not user friendly to expect your customer to carry the list of approved snacks from place to place with them to see if they can get a bowl of cereal and milk or not.

The best procedure for the Guest would be to choose only items that ARE marked with the DP logo. Voila! No questions.

Those establishments like the bakeries could easily raise the prices minimally of the items they don't want included as snacks.

And penalize Guests NOT on the Dining Plan by expecting them to PAY higher prices for the convenience of those on the Dining Plan? I don't think that would ever happen.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

I think it would be a very smart idea to give a consistent rule. We went last year with the DDP and NONE of the snacks were marked with the logo. It was like a guessing game carrying things to the cash register to see if it would be approved or not.

That's wierd. We were on the DDP last year, and it was water, soda, popcorn or ice cream only. None of this $4 item stuff, that was it. We're thrilled that it's been expanded, even if it is still a little confusing.

 

[bicker]

Yes, just look for the logo. You know those items are included as snack items on the Dining Plan. No confusion necessary!

 

[kdzgon]

It sounds like that North Wing is really hurtin'. Folks booking Garden Wing rooms are well-advised to request South Wing....
QUOTE]

Just returned from a trip to WDW, stayed in the CR. I absolutely agree - the housekeeping was horrendous! Shower liner was mildewed (took them 7 days to finally replace), garbage under the bed skirts, missing mattress pad, blankets, pillow; no pillowcases on several pillows (took 4 days to correct); etc. We even returned one afternoon to find housekeeping never even closed our door completely - fortunately, nothing was missing.

FYI, not all of the South Wing rooms have been renovated. We asked to change our room to a better view (same wing), and we were told we did not want to do that as other rooms were not yet updated (asked for a higher floor w/ a better water view).

 

[TikiGoddess]

If they are well marked with the logo then that is great and a wonderful improvement. I can assure you that at our hotel and especially in Epcot they they were not well marked last year. We did go at the beginning of the new season so maybe that had something to do with it. As for raising the price on the bakery items, I had in mind only a few cents to get it out of the $4 range.

I love how everyone gets so riled up about this stuff. I actually really like the DDP and will be using it again, however, I do believe there are areas where it could be improved and this is one of them. I'm sure you all have your own opinions on other areas that can be approved. I stick by my statement that the $4 range is the best way to go and I have not yet seen a response to how this is any different than TS meals ranging anywhere from $20 or more in difference. Just my opinion, and as always we are all entitled to our own.